A Los Angeles-based robotics company has launched a new R&D hub in Edinburgh’s New Town, bolstered by Scottish Enterprise support.
- The hub employs a team of 24 to advance proprietary robotics technology that simplifies automation and cuts production costs.
- Choosing Scotland over five global locations, the decision was facilitated by engagement with Scottish Enterprise’s Silicon Valley team.
- The company received a £2m Scottish Enterprise grant to establish the hub.
- Scottish leaders see this as an endorsement of the country’s talent and business environment.
A prominent robotics company from Los Angeles has inaugurated a research and development center in the historic area of Edinburgh’s New Town. This center, which welcomes a team of 24 professionals, aims to further develop the company’s innovative robotics technology known for simplifying automation processes and significantly reducing manufacturing costs. This strategic move has been supported by Scottish Enterprise, an organization dedicated to fostering economic growth in Scotland.
The decision to select Scotland over five other international options highlights the region’s appeal. The choice was largely influenced by interactions with Scottish Enterprise’s team based in Silicon Valley, which played a pivotal role in showcasing Scotland’s potential. The company was also awarded a notable grant of £2m from Scottish Enterprise to aid in establishing their hub, further demonstrating the local commitment to fostering technological innovation.
Jon Quick, the chief financial officer of the company, remarked that Scotland serves as a crucial gateway to the UK and broader markets in Europe, the Middle East, and Northern Africa. “We’ve been hugely impressed by the quality of local talent,” he stated, underscoring plans to expand operations in Scotland and accelerate the global reach of their technology. Quick indicated that there are substantial opportunities in the robotics sector, with 500 million global manufacturing and assembly jobs and only 1.7 million robots currently deployed.
Quick addressed potential concerns about automation affecting jobs, emphasizing that automation is becoming a manageable and economically viable solution rather than a costly endeavor. He elaborated that automation can now be applied selectively to resolve specific factory challenges, integrating seamlessly with existing operations to yield immediate financial savings. He projected that a blend of local labor and automation will enhance competitiveness and facilitate the return of jobs to home shores.
Prominent figures such as Adrian Gillespie, CEO of Scottish Enterprise, and Richard Lochhead, Scottish Business Minister, praised the company’s decision. Gillespie noted that choosing Edinburgh for the global R&D hub reflects well on Scotland’s capabilities in robotics and artificial intelligence. Meanwhile, Lochhead highlighted Scotland’s appeal as an innovation hub, thanks to its exceptional academic institutions and supportive environment for growth.
Scotland’s burgeoning R&D sector receives a considerable boost with the establishment of this new hub, cementing its role as a nexus for innovation.
